SURGEON AND HIV INFECTION: Post Exposure Prophylaxis: Need of the hour

HIV infection in HCW is an occupational hazard requiring policy decisions by the health care administrators. In this article we have outlined a post exposure prophylaxis protocol following HIV exposure in HCWs. By determining the HIV status code of the source and the HIV exposure code of the HCWs, recommendations for PEP are forwarded. Occupational exposures should be considered urgent medical and surgical concerns to ensure timely administration of PEP. At the end, an algorithm is provided to guide exposed health-care workers in deciding when to consider PEP.